Ahmad Hunter

Ahmad Hunter is a rising senior running back on the Booker High football team. As a junior in 2022, Hunter ran for 1,212 yards and 12 touchdowns.

When did you start playing football?

I started when I was 7 years old in tackle football. I actually wanted to play flag football first, but I was in a car accident and had to wait (to heal) before I could play, and by then it was tackle football. I never played any other sports. It was always football for me.

What is the appeal to you?

I like putting in the work to get better. I like making new friends through football. And I like winning. (Laughs.)

What is your best skill as a running back?

My ability to break tackles. That’s something that I have always been able to do well. I’m also good at finding a hole and quickly hitting it.

What have you been working to improve?

My top-end speed for sure. That’s been a lot of this offseason, just running and trying to get faster through repetition.

What is your favorite football memory?

My favorite memory is my entire freshman season. I was at Riverview High then. That season opened up a lot of gates for me. I showed what I could do. It was just a special year.

What are your goals for the 2023 season?

Our team goal is to go 10-0. We’re doing it one game at a time, going 1-0 every week. Personally, I’d like to get 2,000 rushing yards.

If you would like to make a recommendation for the Sarasota Observer’s Athlete of the Week feature, send it to Ryan Kohn at RKohn@ YourObserver.com.

What is your favorite food? I love a Philly cheesesteak. It’s either that or going to Chipotle.

What is your favorite movie? Either “Fast Five” or “Smokey and the Bandit.”

What is your favorite school subject?

I like history, just learning about everything that has happened over time.

What is the best advice you have received?

Whatever it is you do, don’t give up, even if things are not looking too good. It can turn around.

Finish this sentence: “Ahmad Hunter is …” Outgoing.

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Worlds” weapon

65 Selena of “Only Murders in the Building”

66 Swashbuckler Flynn

68 Sidekick’s address

69 *Complimentary mealtime gesture

70 Flies alone

71 Marked, as a ballot

73 Some suit fabrics

75 Adorable toddler

77 Girl Scout cookie that’s also the name of an island country

80 “Over Vitebsk” painter Chagall

82 *What X can represent, in a love letter (see 67-Across, 90-Across, 38-Down and 69-Down)

85 Non-silence of the lamb?

87 ___ for tat